'Poverty eradication and social development cannot be achieved without firm commitment to realising the achievement, equality and empowmerment of women.'

PRIME MINISTER Portia Simpson Miller is showing no let up in her unofficial campaign for the empowerment of women.

On Friday, Mrs. Simpson Miller, who could not avoid reiterating that she is the first female Prime Minister of Jamaica, told the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Havana, Cuba, that the empowerment of women is essential to overcoming social ills.

"Poverty eradication remains central to our social and economic development objectives. NAM must therefore remain committed to the implementation of the outcomes of the major conferences, including the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs.

"Poverty eradication and social development cannot be achieved without firm commitment to realising the achievement, equality and empowerment of women," Mrs. Simpson Miller said.

Castro absent

The Prime Minister expressed regret that Cuban Present Fidel Castro was absent from the meeting due to ill health.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Simpson Miller expressed delight that the entire CARICOM bloc were members of NAM following the signing on of Haiti, St. Kits/Nevis, Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda earlier this year.

NAM membership now stands at 180 countries that consider themselves not formally aligned with or against any major power bloc.

They represent nearly two thirds of the United Nation's members and comprise nearly 60 per cent of the world's population.

Encouraged leaders

Mrs. Simpson Miller urged all leaders gathered to strive at all times to "do the right thing." Chief among the things she wants them to do is focus on achieving the eight MDGs.

These MDGs were approved by 191 heads of state and presidents at the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2000.

They pledged to adopt new measures and join efforts in the fight against poverty, illiteracy, hunger, lack of education, gender inequality, infant and maternal mortality, disease and environmental degradation.

Prime Minister Simpson Miller, who has portfolio responsibility for women, has said that under her leadership, women empowerment will be a priority.

The Prime Minister said she was looking forward to the Second NAM Ministerial Meeting on the Advancement of Women to be held in Guatemala in 2007.